New works with a jazzy, cross-over feel.

Throughout their musical careers Ramon Ricker and Bill Dobbins have championed a less compartmentalized approach to music; an approach which is obvious on this new Eastman disc. They began their musical association in 1973 as faculty members at the Eastman School where Dr. Ricker is presently Professor of Saxophone. Mr. Dobbins left his professorship in Jazz Studies in September of 1994 to assume the position of music director of the West German Radio Big Band in Cologne, Germany. Both musicians have extensive professional experience in jazz and classical music. Dr. Ricker plays in the clarinet section of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, has recorded and toured with such jazz artists as Buddy Rich and Chuck Mangione, and is active as a studio musician, composer-arranger, producer and contractor. Mr. Dobbins has performed as soloist with symphony orchestras under Pierre Boulez and Louis Lane, and has worked with jazz artists Phil Woods and Red Mitchell, The National Jazz Ensemble and the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra.

Review:

"Pianist Bill Dobbins and soprano saxophonist Ramon Ricker team up for some memorable playing on Jazz Sonata. Five of the six selections are by Dobbins; the other is Ricker's title tune....This sampling demonstrates skillful compositional work by Dobbins. His rhythmic ideas are always crisp and snappy, he never ventures too far afield harmonically, and his melodies are usually fluent and engaging...Listeners with a taste for jazz and enthusiasts of the soprano sax will appreciate this disc. But if that is not you, consider this fair warning." (American Record Guide)